The Venetian Sanctuary

Venice #8

by Philip Gwynne Jones

Venice, June 2020. The city has returned to the Venetians during a merciful pause in the Covid pandemic, and few overseas visitors are to be seen. Yet Dominic Vicari, a British private investigator haunted by loss, has travelled across Europe to the tiny island of San Francesco del Deserto. The ancient monastery there, it is said, was founded by St Francis himself in the 13th century. Its population now consists of five Franciscan brothers and three pilgrims on retreat. Or, rather, two pilgrims and a dead man.
Nathan Sutherland is called in when Vicari's broken body is found at the base of the campanile, his death seemingly nothing more than a terrible accident. But Nathan isn't so sure and sets out on an investigation that will reunite him with an old friend and an old adversary, and the discovery of a terrible secret hidden at the heart of the lagoon.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Italy, Fiction, Audiobook

400 pages, Paperback

Published July 8, 2025

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lower 4 stars than others in the series.

I felt the premise for the novel was decent; COVID combined with eco-NIMBYism - but that the execution was lacking, as a result of an unnecessarily complicated and convoluted narrative.

[J.F. Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love these books! Now we've reached book 8 in the series, it is like meeting up with old friends. This one is set as the Covid lockdown just begins to ease and has everything I expected - lovely setting, twisty plot, humour, Italian cuisine and a really bad tempered cat. This one also has adorable chickens, mysterious Franciscan friars and a lot of tomatoes... Perfect mid-summer read, devoured in a couple of sittings. Fingers crossed there'll be a Book 9...

[Val Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK | Constable for the opportunity to review and read The Venetian Sanctuary by Philip Gwynne Jones Apologies it took so long, but I wanted to catch up on the series and read them in order before I read the latest in the series.

The whole series are excellent and I've enjoyed them all so much being transported off to Venice every time. I've not yet been there, but feel like I know all the areas and streets and characters quite well through these books and will make it there one day in the not too far distant future and the author has painted the city and its surroundings so well. The author has written them incredibly well., and if I had to recommend a series of books for anyone to read - it would be this.

The Venetian Sanctuary takes place in 2020 just after the Pandemic where there are currently very few visitors and Nathan Sutherland does what he does best and as the Honorary Consul gets himself embroiled in the latest mystery or murder.

I hope there will be many more books in this series and look forward to reading them and anything else that Gwynne Jones writes.

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Venetian Sanctuary is the eighth book in the Nathan Sutherland series.

As the series progresses and The Honorary Consul's quirky ways and approach to solving crimes becomes more familiar- prone to finding himself in awkward situations and meeting rather dubious characters- and the more enjoyable the books have become.

This story involves the death of an Anglo/Italian man searching for his estranged brother; his body is discovered at the base of a monastery's campanile. Nathan finds himself ''undercover" on a retreat. All is not as it seems with the brothers and other visitors.

Soon Nathan finds himself embroiled in darker deeds and with Fede in tow they find themselves in a life or death situation. The body count rises.

There is also a darker message to take away about how we regard the planet and society's complicity.

Set against the backdrop of the Covid period and a Venice without tourism, there is a different feel to the story- and all the better.

Placing Nathan 'undercover' so he has a clear detective role also strengthened the premise.

Told with the usual humour- love of Negronis and Spritzes ( how does he do it and stay sober?) and the inimitable Gramschi controlling life at home and familiar characters this is a great read.

Best so far... great summer read for those who love Italian based crime novels....

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, as always.
The best thing about this author is that he gets Venice 'right'. As someone who knows the city well, although not as well as him, I get fed up of seeing films and reading books that are so markedly incorrect. It is therefore a joy to read such a book as this, and to even learn a little about the city or area.
Secondly, the story is always interesting, and good. Well written, and with great characters.
This is part of a series, but the reader would get away with reading it having not read any of the previous ones. But obviously, more enjoyment can be had by observing the changing relationships throughout the series.
ps I don't generally like cats, but Gramsci seems just about right. I reckon I would like him.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. They got me through cancer treatment last year. They are quite light reads, with a very naughty cat, the normal civilian/unpaid ambassador , and friendly police detective solving mysteries with a cast of friends and enemies to back them.up. Most importantly it is set in Venice, where I had my last pre cancer holiday so I can see the settings in my minds eye, which brings back very happy memories to get me through.

[Pili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venecia en el post-confinamiento.
Cada vez que descubro que un libro que ahora tengo en mis manos fue escrito durante esa época de pandemia, no dejo de sentirme agradecida por estar aquí.

"The whole world's been on an extended retreat these past few months. Nathan, with nothing to do except think about what's most important to them [...] People have been thinking, really thinking, about what matters in their lives. And they came to the conclusion, almost as one, that what matters, surprisingly, is other people."

Y en los agradecimientos, el autor escribe:
"Don't write a COVID novel." That's what everbody told me. And, at first, I thought it was a good advice. Who would possibly want to read a novel that might bring back memories of those terrible months and years? And yet, the experience of living in Venice during that extraordinary period when the city was briefly returned to the Venetians was, I thought, worth sharing."

Viviendo yo en Barcelona, pude comprender perfectamente esa sensación.

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real delight to read. Philip Gwynne Jones’ descriptions of Venice are always so clear and the city and its islands really cometo life in this novel set during the Covid Pandemic. I love Nathan’s character and his outlook on life especially his fondness for Spritzes and his extremely grumpy cat. His role as Honourary Consul gives him a valid reason to be involved with police investigations and he really excels himself in this case.
The plot is suitably twisty involving monks, divers and a serious ecological issue and Nathan has to use all of the resources at his command to find out what happened. The minor characters are as entertaining as ever and I loved meeting Lucia again. The dialogue between all of the characters and the dry humour is a definite highlight of these books for me.
Thank you to Net Galley and Little Brown Book Group for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am beginning to find it difficult to write reviews for the books in this series, which I have loved since the first one. But only because I am running out of superlatives. They are such enjoyable, well crafted stories. The characters are like friends and the description of Venice and surrounds are spot on.

On this occasion Venice, like the rest of the world, is recovering from the effects of the COVID lock down, when Nathan the honorary consul is called to an island retreat after the discovery of the body of an English man apparently making a pilgrimage to the small community. His death initially appears accidental, but it soon transpires that there is more involved than a simple fall from a bell tower. Nathan must try to find some family of the man from Wales and is soon drawn into investigating the mystery of his death. There is murder, mystery and mayhem aplenty along with a dose of wry humour, so typical of the books.

Whilst this could easily be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading from the beginning to get to know the characters.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The eighth book in this excellent series set in Venice. I always look forward to a new book in this series and I'm never disappointed. The action takes place during 2020, so the after effects of the covid lockdown are being felt. It was interesting to read of the impact this had on Venice at the time and how the Venetians felt about the situation.
The usual endearing characters are here and the gentle banter they share is so enjoyable to read. I love the humour of these books and the mystery itself always throws up surprises.
Highly recommended and now I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.

[Charlotte Pawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Venetian island of San Francisco Del Deserto is an ancient monastery with 5 Franciscan brothers and 3 pilgrims. British Private investigator Vicari is found at the bottom of the campanile an accident!
Nathan Sutherland is the local Honorary Consul and is persuaded to go undercover at the monastery to investigate.
This book has a lovely setting of Venice which is one of the stars of the story.
Part of a series with very vivid characters. It is the type of series you can jump straight into.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book with Nathan Sunderland in Venice.
I really enjoy these books and the great style of writing with a super set of characters and situations.
This has followed on from the series to provide another fresh and engaging episode of life with the Honorary Consul and it captures the sights and sounds of the Lagoon as well as the wonderfully engaging people that live in Venice.
Nathan can get into scrapes and as the series had developed he seems to be able to deal with them better.
A really great read!
Highly recommended

[Denise Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in Covid lockdown when Venice didn't have it's hoards of tourists clogging up the streets, there were no large ships in the Grand Canal and nature has rebalanced in the lagoons around the city clearing the water.
Although travel is limited at this time a Welsh man on a pilgrimage falls from the bell tower on one of Venice's small islands. Nathan is called in by the police to help locate his relatives and repatriate his body to his homeland. However, on further investigation doubts emerge and the possibility that the victim was murdered arises. Nathan volunteers to spend a few days on the island to try and find out what actually occurred.

Unlike other books in this series you need to have read the previous book in order to fully understand the plot.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twisty turn by PGJ set in the early months of the pandemic of 2020 when Venice was something the floods of tourists can never experience. This isn't the kind of whodunit where you figure out the connections and the reasons for everything but he always provides a great sense of place and character. I can understand the plot is based in reality though. One thing I miss here is all the food and drink recommendations I've gotten over the many volumes of the Nathan Sutherland series since Fede and Nathan have to stay close to home and I've already been to the Magical Brazilans a few times.

[Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I stumbled into the middle of a series. Given to me as a present, this book features Nathan Sutherland, the Honorary British Consul in Venice, solving a murder mystery on a remote island at the behest of the local detective Vanni. It's not as sharp as Donna Leon, but the book is thoroughly enjoyable, with amusing characters. I also like that – unlike the Brunetti novels – it's told in the first person. I suppose that gives away that Sutherland is going to survive whatever happens.

I'll certainly read more in the fullness of time.

[Alun Roderick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the whole Nathan Sutherland books. Philip Gwynne Jones creates well rounded characters where he has taken the time, over the series of books, to flesh them out so we can empathise and sympathise with them (including the unfriendly cat). We want to learn more about their exploits within the wonderfully atmospheric backdrop of Venice.
Each book is packed with plots where you really want to know what happens next.
I can’t wait until the next one is published.

[Dolf Patijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very enjoyable book in the Venice series. I didn't think the mystery was the best in the series but I just love reading them for the atmosphere alone and also for the likeable characters. It's nice to be back in Venice for a while. I've only been there twice for a week-and-a-half in May, so it is interesting to read about Venice during different times of the year and also about what it was like during the pandemic. Three-and-a-half stars.

[Beth Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series.I feel I know Nathan and Fede..and the various other characters. Introduced me to The Spritz…which I happily drank on Christmas Day. Having saved this to read fir a while I finally allowed myself the pleasure, and was rewarded by another great read

[Helen Downton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, as always.

[Christine Pilcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Ray Hartjen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed all the books in Gwynne Jones' Nathan Sutherland series. He puts together an interesting story, and this book was no exception.

[mrs e j stringfellow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always an enjoyable read with a lovely feel of getting to know Venice and Italy

[Veronika Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as a bit of a break from my heavy read. I really love this series. I used to live in Venice and this always takes me back and I enjoy so much how every book explores a different part of Venice. It just does not get boring. This story was tragic and highlighted important issues we face in our world today. I could see how some readers might find aspects of this book too political but I enjoy that. I also very much liked the link back to Wales. All in all another great and entertaining story from Venice

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finest one yet. I don't read a lot of crime fiction and when do so tend towards gloriously gloomy Indridason Icelandic works. Jones, however, captures Venice as a theme in itself, infused with a delightful array of characters, not least Nathan, Fede, Vanni, Lucia, and the communist bar clientele. Always rich infusion of Italian art, music, food and history without any Dan Brown bollocks (said author gets a good dissing here as useful book if only to swat mosquitos). Finely paced and structured balanced with mystery, menace and humour. And lots of food and negroni pleasures.

[Corinne Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being #8 this is my first book in this series. As a selfconfessed Venice tragic I loved the descriptions of the places. Having visited first in Winter 06 the almost empty Venice of Covid is not too different. I will have to try and find the other books in the series. Re-read in November after purchasing and reading the first seven. I enjoyed this even more second time around, knowing more about Nathan and his journey to this point in his life in Venice. I look forward to the next one.